New 20ga benelli (help me decide)

[darron]

I am going to break down and buy me a 20ga benelli over summer. I am torn between the M2 and the new SBE3. Is the SBE3 worth an extra $300-400? Seems like the only difference between the two is how they come apart? This will also be used for upland game (mostly dove hunting)

[Gobbler428]

I do not know much about the M2 but I just bought a 20ga SBE3 and it is one nice gun, I bought mine to turkey hunt with and after using it this past season will most likely retire my 12ga SBE2. You need to be aware that the SBE3 20ga is not and cannot be drilled and taped, thus, if you want to put a scope on it you will need to do so by other means. I put a rail mounted red dot on mine. I can't say if its worth the extra $'s vs the M2 but I really like mine and would not hesitate to use it on dove/upland game. I don't think you could go wrong with either one.

[Rockhound]

Either or in my opinion. I think the sbe3 20 is the best feeling gun in the world. I bought one in optifade timber/tungsten cerakote. I wish they made 24" or shorter barrels though.

[KZONE]

If it's gonna be a dedicated turkey gun buy the M2 and put the extra money into a good red dot.


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[darron]

That's another thing...I want to use the bead no red dot.
Does the m2 and SBE3 hit true to aim?

[runngun]

@Darron, I know that each and every gun is different,  but my point of aim/point of impact was the same for the Benelli M2.

Have a good one
Bo

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[RLAG]

I've heard a lot of people complain that the sbe3 shoots high relative to point of aim. Might want to do some reading on that and see what others have to say on it.

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[AndyN]

That's another thing...I want to use the bead no red dot.
Does the m2 and SBE3 hit true to aim?

My M2 is perfect left/right but shoots 5-6" high with Apex 9s and LBXR 6s. Put it where skin meets feathers and it's been a dead bird every time. I did shoot some LBXR 5s that would have completely missed the bird with that same hold.

[Kyle_Ott]

If you were talking waterfowl, I'd say the SBE3 because of how easy they are to clean.

But we are talking about turkeys.  The M2 has a solid, one piece receiver which is a huge benefit if you're going to drill and tap it for a red dot.  It's also a proven work horse that's notorious for throwing impressive patterns.

I've got 2 M2 20 gauges.  One has the standard 24" compact barrel and the other has a barrel that was cut down by comp' n choke to 19".  Both guns run Indian Creek .555s with 330+ pattern densities.

I know a guy with with the SBE 3 20 ga and he would love to wrap it around a tree.  Patterns are terrible and there's limited metal to actually tap into on the top of the receiver.

[Mathews.1]

M2 for me with a sumtoy .562 awesome combination

[PALongspur]

My choice would be the M2. I've got two of them and they're both proven killers. Both of mine shoot POA so I don't use optics.

[ragin-cajun]

  consider your mount of choice. if you use a rear 2-hole mount like a Burris set up, its irrelevant. I prefer the 4-hole-Scalarworks mount (w/Aimpoint) that's on my 12g SBE. i sent my M2 to RRoberts recently to have it drill/tapped and smith said he was hesitant to mount Scarlarworks on the M2 (thin top receiver especially up front). maybe the SBE is similar to the drilled/tapped Franchi (which works w/ 4 hole and I purchased).

[Guskie]

My gunsmith was also hesitant to drill/tap my M2 for the scalarworks mount. He said the metal very thin for the front screws. I ended up using a sumtoy mount

[SumToy]

M2 all the way.   I never figured the reason for the SBE in 20ga.   In 12 you go to 3.5 chamber but in 20 you all the same.   

[DBuck90]

I have an M2 and I do very much enjoy it but after I purchased a Retay I don't believe I will be going back to my benelli that's just my opinion but I liked the Retay 10 times more than my benelli